Rele Gallery Los Angeles is pleased to present Nobody’s Appendage: Unapologetically Free, a group exhibition, running from March 11th to April 8th, whose title is inspired by the writing of Nigerian female novelist Buchi Emecheta who notes “when will you create a woman who will be fulfilled in herself, a full human being, not anybody’s appendage?” Designed as a commemoration of women’s month the exhibition presents work from Ndidi Emefiele, Abi Salami, Manyatsa Monyamane, Lewinale Havette, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray and Grace Kisa in celebrating and examining the complexities, areas of intersectionality and nuances of Black women as well as confronting reductive and oppressive social narratives.
Within contemporary art, women’s voices are becoming increasingly visible and centered. However, vast discrepancies still exist between women and their male counterparts. Women of color are particularly denigrated, their stories often told by others, misconstrued, or not told at all. In this exhibition, the artists presented employ varying mediums to share poignant, personal stories and challenge stifling, imperialist narratives, whilst displaying intricacies of womanhood, free from social constraints.
Nobody’s Appendage: Unapologetically Free showcases works that speak to the nuanced ways in which Black women continue to refute the limiting and erroneous narratives that often precede them. In a world that constantly produces oppressive systems that police the rights and autonomy of women, particularly with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S and the signing in of legislation that directly affects women, the exhibition invites viewers to support and critically reflect on the multiple realities of Black women as well as the ongoing liberatory work of reclamation done by these women.